Italian-Inspired Garden in Chula Vista Wins WaterSmart Landscape Contest

Inspired by her travels to Italy, Shannon Nembach transformed her outdoor space into a lush garden with pea-gravel walkways, an inviting outdoor dining area, and water-wise features that attract native wildlife to her Chula Vista home. Her garden has received this year’s title, “Best in District,” in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

Nembach converted her bare outdoor space into a lush garden with pea gravel walkways.

Nembach moved into her home in 2002 as the original owner. With a bare area surrounding the house, the opportunity to build a beautiful, functional garden that could withstand climate change and state-wide drought presented itself.

For 22 years, Nembach has used a self-directed learning approach to tailor her landscaping efforts to her family’s specific needs and preferences. She began by expanding her side yard to part of the front to make room for a courtyard. She hired a contractor to install a retaining wall and concrete patio with an entry gate and outdoor fireplace.

Today, the well-maintained front yard features a small riverbed and bright green water-wise plants that bloom throughout. Past the entry gate, a large canopy wraps around a long dining table near the fireplace where she regularly hosts outdoor family dinners.

“I particularly enjoy the way our WaterSmart yard attracts native wildlife, creating a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem,” said Nembach. “It also provides a perfect setting for entertaining family and friends, offering a beautiful and serene backdrop for gatherings and outdoor activities.”

In the backyard, a cascade waterfall encompasses a sloped hill with a pond at the bottom, raised planters for growing vegetables are laid out in the center near a sitting area, and low-water-use shrubs, such as Japanese Boxwood, add color throughout the yard.

A waterfall and pond attract wildlife to her backyard.

“We have never used a gardener. My husband and I planted everything except for two trees on our hill, including wheelbarrowing 7.5 yards of pea gravel into the front courtyard to build the free-standing patio and the waterfall and pond in the backyard,” she said. “The pond has provided a constant water source for all the local wildlife for over 20 years.”

The backyard once included a small patch of grass for her children to play in when they were younger. The patch was replaced with the vegetable-raised planters in 2014.

“I would recommend others to upgrade their yards. I’ve never missed having grass, which I associate with high maintenance, frequent mowing, fertilizing, weed control, and excessive water use,” she said. “Instead, our drought-tolerant landscape is not only low maintenance, but also beautiful, lush, and inviting. It is practical and attractive.”

Overall, Nembach’s landscape is low maintenance but requires trimming and weeding to keep its fine appearance. Rainwater provides enough water during winter and spring to leave the irrigation system off. Mulching every year helps retain moisture and keeps the weeds to a minimum.

Nembach is a retired high school teacher and self-taught when it comes to landscape design. She credits her mother, an avid gardener, for teaching her the tips and tricks of gardening. She also gained a wealth of knowledge by spending time in plant nurseries and reading Sunset Magazine and gardening books.

Her water-saving installations have contributed to a 42% decrease in the family’s total water usage when comparing the initial 11-year period in their household to the subsequent 11 years.

A patch of grass before it was replaced with vegetable-raised planters in 2014.

“Using water wisely has always been important to me, especially after hearing in the 90s that California’s water consumption was unsustainable,” she said. “When we moved into our home in 2002, I was determined to create a landscape that could endure drought conditions and support long-term water conservation efforts.”

Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez.

“Otay Water District is proud to recognize Shannon Nembach for demonstrating a true commitment to outdoor water-use efficiency for more than two decades,” said Lopez. “Her efforts will continue to pay off as our region continues to transition into making WaterSmart landscaping a way of life.”

The District will recognize Nembach at its August board meeting with a certificate of recognition, a gift certificate to a local nursery of her choice, a yard sign, and other promotional items.

Learn more about the annual contest.

Learn about turf replacement rebates and water conservation resources.